A Devine Touch Of France In Downtown Los Angeles
In fact, it’s called D’Vine, or D’Vine Lounge Bar to be specific.
Formerly known as D’Vine Wine Cellar and located in downtown Los Angeles – DTLA as acronym-obsessed Angelenos prefer to refer to it – D’Vine Lounge Bar is a hip hangout specializing in hard-to-find wines from the glass with a particular emphasis on France and French wines (there’s a lighted replica of the Eiffel Tower behind the bar and a European-style wine case makes up one wall).
Its smoothly-lit room is indeed laid out lounge-style with big couch-style seating and thick wooden tables on the outside of the space, an “island” area in the center and a few barstools at the bar. Just getting into the place is cool – you walk down several steps which makes it like stepping into a wine cellar.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, there’s live acoustic music from 8-10 p.m.
So the environment is fine but what about the wine?
It has 50 varietals from 10 countries for a total of about 50 wines. There’s reds, whites and sparkling; among each are the Chateau de Fontenille, White Blend Bordeaux, France 2014 ($13 & 50), the Muga, “Reserva”, Rioja, Spain 2010 ($ 11 & 39) and the Sophora, Sparkling Rose, New Zealand ($10, 36). There are also wines on tap and the bar boasts that because of technology is uses, it has some wines by the glass that are usually only offered by the bottle.
The price range is excellent considering the quality – just $10-14 a glass in most cases. Some of the higher-end wins are only served by the bottle.
Whatever your choice(s), it is best enjoyed by one of the meat or cheese plates – the chorizo is outstanding – served with delicious bread ($14 for three choices, $20 for five).
And if wine is not your thing, D’Vine has a full bar with cocktails and craft beers.
D’Vine Lounge Bar is not a raucous place, nor is it a sit-and-be-quiet spot. It’s a place where you don’t rush through things, where you can go with a date, a group of friends and even look to meet new friends. That’s not to difficult to do on its busiest nights (Friday and Saturday) because it’s set up as if you’re in someone’s living room and the atmosphere and wines invite conversations.
It’s also an ideal place to go for those attending an event at Staples Center, which is four blocks to the south and west.
The dress code is classy-comfortable; during one PubClub.com visit a guy had on an LA Kings KOPITAR shirt which might seem a bit too casual, but at his table was a well-attired blonde with dark jeans, boots up to her knees and a stylish sweater. Like we said, classy yet comfortable.
The entrance is next to the O Hotel under the building’s Bar + Kitchen restaurant.
D’Vine Lounge Bar Los Angeles Details
Address: 821 S. Flower St.
Phone: (213) 784-3050
Website: www.dvinela.com
Hours: Friday & Saturday 4:30 p.m.-midnight, Sunday, 5-11 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 4:30-11 p.m.
Happy Hour: 5-7 p.m., $4 draft beers, $6 select reds & whites, $8 sparkling
Parking: A lot next to D’Vine (pricey), a lot two blocks away on the corner of S. Hope & 8th Street is $5, street parking is 2 hours until 8 p.m.
Social Media
Facebook: @dvineloungebar
Twitter: @dvinedtla
Instagram: @dvinedtla
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